MasteryExams
Indian Polity • ConstitutionMedium

The historic 'Basic Structure' doctrine, which sets limits on the amending power of Parliament under Article 368, was formally propounded by the Supreme Court of India in which landmark case?

A. Golaknath v. State of Punjab
B. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala✓ Correct Answer
C. Minerva Mills v. Union of India
D. Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Basic Structure doctrine was formally propounded by a landmark thirteen-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati versus State of Kerala case of 1973, establishing that Parliament cannot alter the foundational framework of the Constitution through Article 368 amendments. Earlier judgments like Golaknath had sought to restrict parliamentary amendment power through different reasoning regarding fundamental rights, while later cases like Minerva Mills only reinforced and applied the established doctrine. The Kesavananda Bharati verdict remains the absolute benchmark for discussions on judicial review and constitutional supremacy in Indian polity.

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